A cute enough offering but ultimately a one-trick pony.
Counting is a means to an end in this cowboy-infused nursery-rhyme homage.
A piggy with a penchant for Western wear saddles Lou, the horse, for a ride. Written in the style of the nursery rhyme “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe,” the story counts up alongside simple storytelling. “One, Two, Saddle up Lou.” Repeatedly, the book mirrors the rhyme’s original lines, as when “pick up sticks” becomes “watch out for big sticks.” Sadly, some lines do not scan as well in their new form. Stronger is the counting element, as boots, hats, bandannas, and more match the number on the page in quantity. Little fingers should have no difficulty pointing to each as it is counted. There are some lost opportunities in this simple tale, though. For example, the cowpoke’s accoutrements are pictured for identification at the end of the book but are not named. This makes the broad assumption that caregivers will already know their bridles from their saddles. Gentle art gives characters a rounded, roly-poly look set against a big open sky. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A cute enough offering but ultimately a one-trick pony. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: March 15, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-53411-159-2
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Review Posted Online: May 24, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2022
A pleasant holiday spent with a perfectly charming character.
One of Boynton's signature characters celebrates Halloween.
It's Halloween time, and Pookie the pig is delighted. Mom helps the little porker pick out the perfect Halloween costume, a process that spans the entire board book. Using an abcb rhyme scheme, Boynton dresses Pookie in a series of cheerful costumes, including a dragon, a bunny, and even a caped superhero. Pookie eventually settles on the holiday classic, a ghost, by way of a bedsheet. Boynton sprinkles in amusing asides to her stanzas as Pookie offers costume commentary ("It's itchy"; "It's hot"; "I feel silly"). Little readers will enjoy the notion of transforming themselves with their own Halloween costumes while reading this book, and a few parents may get some ideas as well. Boynton's clean, sharp illustrations are as good as ever. This is Pookie's first holiday title, but readers will surely welcome more.
A pleasant holiday spent with a perfectly charming character. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: July 7, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-553-51233-5
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Robin Corey/Random
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2016
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The small size, a predictable winter adventure, and Boynton’s very toddlerlike character make this a fine stocking stuffer...
Seven years after Little Pookie (2011) first appeared, this popular piglet is finally celebrating Christmas.
“Oh Pookie! Come look! It’s beginning to snow,” says a maternal-looking pig. But where did Pookie go? Past the Christmas tree, to put on a snowsuit of course. Pookie’s ever cheerful mama is willing to go out too. After all, “It’s a magical time to be walking with you.” When she observes, “Our noses are frozen. It’s time to go in,” Pookie protests in typical toddler style: “But I’m not c-c-c-cold!” The next three pages highlight indoor holiday preparations—making paper garlands, baking and decorating cookies. The rhyming text mirrors the spare illustrations. A spidery type that emulates handwriting makes it clear when Pookie is speaking. Then “the doorbell is ringing. / Our family and friends have arrived for the singing.” The second-to-last spread shows Pookie, mama, and six other pigs—and Boynton’s requisite chicken—singing (“Con brio”), “MER-RY CHRIST-MAS! MER-RY CHRIST-MAS! AND A HAP-PY NEW YEAR!” Conveniently, this text is placed beneath the musical notation. Finally Pookie hangs a stocking and goes off to bed without any fuss, anticipating presents on Christmas morning.
The small size, a predictable winter adventure, and Boynton’s very toddlerlike character make this a fine stocking stuffer or an ideal Christmas Eve read to share with other little piggies. (Board book. 18 mos.-3)Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5344-3724-1
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Oct. 15, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2019
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